choosing your religion

Each person is born into a religious environment that is not of his/her own choice. From the very beginning of human existence in this world, they are assigned the religion of their family or the ideology of the state. By the time individuals reach their teens they usually accept the beliefs of their parents or those of their particular society.

However, when some people mature and are exposed to other beliefs and ideologies, they begin to question the validity of their own beliefs.

Some of them take a materialistic approach and become atheist. The strange thing about many athiests is that they claim to be following science. They claim that nothing proves the existence of a Creator. We say to those of our brethren in humanity, think about it. If you are walking in the snow or in a desert and you see some footprints one after another in twos you infer that there was someone who had walked through this place. Yet you didn't see that person. It was the organized set of footprints which made you sure that someone had walked through there. Anyone who has played scrabble knows you can't throw up the pieces and they land in a sentence much less a complex poem. The same thing goes for the universe. We see a vast system of complex organization, especially here on the Earth. Yet still some educated people agree to this fact, but disagree that there has to be a creator for there to be a creation. So where did everything come from?

The answer is in your heart and you know it. We ask you what makes your heart beat? If you go to your science book you will say electricity from your brain. Ok, where did that electricity come from? Are you plugged into something? How does your body know how to digest food? etc... etc... etc... Everything exists most intelligently designed by the command of the absolutely wise and merciful creator and sustainer.

Because the All-Knowing Creator knows that most people won't see this reality He sent His Prophets performing miracles to clearly prove their being sent by the only One who is in control of the laws of nature and can change them at will. These miracles were recorded throughout history.

Seekers of truth often reach a point of confusion upon realizing that believers of every religion, sect, ideology and philosophy all claim to have the one and only correct religion or ideology. For those who believe in God there are only three possibilities-

They are either all correct, all wrong, or only one is correct and the rest are misrepresenting God by the hands of man.

1- They cannot all be right since all religions are different from each other in their basic foundations including; who is God and what His nature is or what will happen after we die.

2- It can't be that they are all wrong. In the past, governments have failed us and haven't properly ruled by the message of God and much evidence of corruption in religion and scriptures have surfaced throughout the centuries. This reality led to atheism and the claim that everyone should individually decide who God is and how they relate to him (make up their own religion). The truth is that corruption in people or even scriptures doesn't negate God or His message. The reality is that Islam is the only religion in which all of its own scholars throughout history agree to the infallibility and absolute perfection of its own scripture.

Be sure, the Most Merciful God didn't leave us alone without any guidance to lighten our path and lead us back to Him. We lack the knowledge and wisdom to hold such a responsibility. Plus this would lead to spiritual division among man. And finally it would make God unjust, leaving us to figure out our own purpose in life, and then judging us upon our faith and works.

How then would we achieve this ultimate goal of pleasing our Creator?

3- The truth is only one of these religions can be the pure truth. The All Merciful God sent human Prophets among mankind to show us the way and to teach us how to believe and how to have a true relationship with our Almighty Creator. The responsibility of preserving the scripture from Prophet to Prophet and nation to nation was with the religious leaders. Indeed those scholars allowed the previous scriptures to be corrupted. All Muslims believe that God revealed the same religion to each Prophet. That was to worship God alone without assocating others with Him. This worship should be in accordance with the example of the Prophet. This religion is called Islam. With corruption of the scriptures, came the names and labels as well. Christianity has the more adherents than any other religion and there isn't one verse claimed to have been said by Jesus which mentions the name Chirstianity and neither does Jesus command them to be called Christians.

So, which religion is the right one and how can the seeker of truth know it? In beginning one's search for which religion is true, one should keep four things in mind:

First, God gave us the ability and intellect to make this crucial decision, hence it is our decision and we don't need our parents, family, or society to make it for us.

Second, God did not leave us to go astray without any guidance. Indeed, He sent us Prophets (pbut) with scriptures to show us the right path. The proof of this is in the various miracles performed by these Prophets (pbut) which have been recorded throughout time. These Prophets all claim to have been sent by God to teach us His will for us.

Third, seeking the true religion is the most important decision in one's life because our eternity depends on it.

Fourth, one can only make a fair rational decision about the true religion of God if emotions and prejudices, which often blind one to the truth, are put aside.

We would like to present Islam to you as an option. We would like you to consider the following characteristics about Islam in making your decision:

* Islam is consistent with logic and rational thinking.

* Islam opens the door for anyone to challenge its authenticity. It also provokes you and shows you how to challenge it, that you may achieve certainty in it.

* Islam provides the needed answers for all important and fundamental questions concerning God, the purpose of life, and the hereafter.

* Islam is supported by contemporary miracles and proofs. For example Islamic texts revealed 1,400 years ago are 100% compatible with recently established science. Read "The Bible, the Qur'an, and science" by Maurice Bucaille who accepted Islam after researching for this book.

* Islam combines the Hereafter with our daily lives and makes a strong bond between the two through our sense of accountability.

* Islam is more than a "religion" in common terminology. It truly is a comprehensive system of life with a detailed law and ethical system. It establishes systems for worship, family living, government, politics, education, economics and social relations.

* Islam is based on a firmly established system of law founded on authentic revealed texts which have been put under deep scrutiny. It is not based upon individuals' ideas, emotional attachments, or religious hierarchies which have no solid foundation in authentic revelation.

* Islam encourages people to seek knowledge and contribute to the world.

* Islam provides true equality, solving the age old problems of race and gender. Islam treats all believers as equal irrespective of race, gender, nationality, or social status.

Verily, this Qur'ân guides to that which is most just and right and gives glad tidings to the believers (in the Oneness of Allâh and His Messenger, Muhammad SAW, etc.). who work deeds of righteousness, that they shall have a great reward (Paradise). (Al Israa : 9)

* Islam opens the door for anyone to challenge its authenticity. It also provokes you and shows you how to challenge it, that you may achieve certainty in it.

This simply isn't true. Moslems who apostasize live in fear of their lives.

Personally, I think the rest of this spam is utter rot as well, but let's start with this. Show us all the challengers to Islam who have been allowed dwell peacefully in a predominantly Moslem nation. Doubtless you'll be posting a very long list indeed.

Agreed. I also have a question...Islam states that Jesus was a prophet, but Jesus claimed to be the son of God directly. So if he WAS only a prophet, then he was a lying prophet, but still considered by Islam to be a great man sent by God?

Agreed. I also have a question...Islam states that Jesus was a prophet, but Jesus claimed to be the son of God directly. So if he WAS only a prophet, then he was a lying prophet, but still considered by Islam to be a great man sent by God?

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Peanut, I believe what moslems believe is that the Gospel accounts are all in error, particularly relating to Jesus' claim at divinity. I can't remember if they believe this based upon something Muhammad claimed or on some other basis.

In a weird sort of way their Jesus prefigures the one Mormons believe in, since Mormons also reject a virgin birth.

• Three Protestants died in Turkey when five young Muslims stormed a Christian publishing house on April 18. According to Turkish media, the assailants each carried notes saying they'd slit the Christians' throats to defend Turkey's Islamic identity. Two victims—Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel—converted from Islam to Christianity. German citizen Tilmann Geske also died in the attack in the southeastern Malatya province. Aydin and Yuksel were the first Turkish converts to Christianity killed for their faith since the Turkish Republic was founded in 1923, according to Compass Direct. But attacks in previous months have claimed the lives of an Italian Catholic priest and an Armenian Christian journalist.

* Islam opens the door for anyone to challenge its authenticity. It also provokes you and shows you how to challenge it, that you may achieve certainty in it.:

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look any one can challenge islam without insult
there are a lot of forums of challenging islam
and there are chanels of christian in nilesat in egypt challenge islam
Allah Says
""There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Tâghût and believes in Allâh, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower.""

but the problem is when a man enter islam and become a muslim with his own mind without any external effects or compulsion

This simply isn't true. Moslems who apostasize live in fear of their lives.

Personally, I think the rest of this spam is utter rot as well, but let's start with this. Show us all the challengers to Islam who have been allowed dwell peacefully in a predominantly Moslem nation. Doubtless you'll be posting a very long list indeed.

Agreed. I also have a question...Islam states that Jesus was a prophet, but Jesus claimed to be the son of God directly. So if he WAS only a prophet, then he was a lying prophet, but still considered by Islam to be a great man sent by God?

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dear peanut
islam says that jesus(pbuh) is a prophet not god and not son of god

for the other part of your post
can you give me any part of the bible says that jesus says" i am a god
or son of god"

Some of them take a materialistic approach and become atheist. The strange thing about many athiests is that they claim to be following science. They claim that nothing proves the existence of a Creator. We say to those of our brethren in humanity, think about it. If you are walking in the snow or in a desert and you see some footprints one after another in twos you infer that there was someone who had walked through this place. Yet you didn't see that person. It was the organized set of footprints which made you sure that someone had walked through there. Anyone who has played scrabble knows you can't throw up the pieces and they land in a sentence much less a complex poem. The same thing goes for the universe. We see a vast system of complex organization, especially here on the Earth. Yet still some educated people agree to this fact, but disagree that there has to be a creator for there to be a creation. So where did everything come from?This is a logic fallacy. It's bordering an argument from ignorance and a complete non sequitur. It's true. Nothing proves or disproves a god. Honestly, you're wasting your time in trying. And yes, atheism=science, by the very definition of science.

The answer is in your heart and you know it. We ask you what makes your heart beat? If you go to your science book you will say electricity from your brain. Ok, where did that electricity come from? Are you plugged into something? How does your body know how to digest food? etc... etc... etc... Everything exists most intelligently designed by the command of the absolutely wise and merciful creator and sustainer.Like the complexity of a cloud. Surely there's an invisible god making clouds every day in the sky, right? I suggest to the author to pass grade 10 science first.

Because the All-Knowing Creator knows that most people won't see this reality He sent His Prophets performing miracles to clearly prove their being sent by the only One who is in control of the laws of nature and can change them at will. These miracles were recorded throughout history.I'm sorry. You were speaking of intelligent design. Since when did you show us that God is intelligent and thus capable of intelligent design?

* Islam is supported by contemporary miracles and proofs. For example Islamic texts revealed 1,400 years ago are 100% compatible with recently established science. Read "The Bible, the Qur'an, and science" by Maurice Bucaille who accepted Islam after researching for this book.Learn the scientific method Maurice and know how it's not possible whatsoever for science to support any religious text. Honestly, why you keep trying to appeal to science is beyond me. Having such a juvenile perception of science, you probably think it's this universal law that holds all truth, immutable in nature and an authority to look to. How naive.

* Islam provides true equality, solving the age old problems of race and gender. Islam treats all believers as equal irrespective of race, gender, nationality, or social status.Homosexuals? Women?
__________________

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Honestly, muslim. There's so many more ways to use your time productively. I am an admirer of science. And it seriously rots my brain and wastes my time when I come across such ignorance, though I for some reason feel the need to help erase at least some of it.

look any one can challenge islam without insult
there are a lot of forums of challenging islam

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I never said there weren't.

and there are chanels of christian in nilesat in egypt challenge islam

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False. The closest any Coptics have come to "challenging" Islam was to show some sort of video in their churches about how converts from Christianity to Islam later regretted it. This alone was enough to touch off a month of riots and the stabbing of a Coptic nun.

Allah Says
""There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Tâghût and believes in Allâh, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower.""

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but the problem is when a man enter islam and become a muslim with his own mind without any external effects or compulsion

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So if someone is born into Islam it is okay for them to later reject it? After all, a baby is hardly free from any "external effects or compulsion."

he must not apostasize

the way is open two sides
if you choose you cant go back

it is a religion and faith not a joke
you must be serious

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So it is okay to slit the throats of those who apostasize?

i thinck that the previous is enough

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Considering that you didn't answer my question about where all the challengers to Islam were, I don't know how you can say this. To reiterate:

Personally, I think the rest of this spam is utter rot as well, but let's start with this. Show us all the challengers to Islam who have been allowed dwell peacefully in a predominantly Moslem nation. Doubtless you'll be posting a very long list indeed.

oooh, an Islam fundamentalist. That sounds interesting. Makes a change for me to have someone other than a Christian claim that their religion is all true though. Will read this in more detail later, hopefully.

if muslims could set and example of how their god is the only true god and has the best morals, I might conisder being an agnostic muslim. But they dont the things ive seen from religion only hurt and seperate people. muslims are especially the most dangerous, unlike christians who believe what their holy book says but dont completely follow it, muslims will go out and kill for their god. Ive seen so much sick shit, beheadings, stonings , hangings, suicide bombings. All for what? cause allah wants them to do this, he says so in the quran.

False. The closest any Coptics have come to "challenging" Islam was to show some sort of video in their churches about how converts from Christianity to Islam later regretted it. This alone was enough to touch off a month of riots and the stabbing of a Coptic nun..

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i was in egypt when that happens
what happened that a church in alex made a play describing MUHAMMAD by rude descriprions
and they took muslims as idiot ignorant people
and talked about hijab
and said that muslim women wear it and she is a whore

i think that is enough for jealousy muslims to take an action that reject that rude games

YOU MUST KNOW THAT MUSLIMS ARE VERY JEAULOSY FOR THEIR ISLAM

if you remember that rude magazine that posts foolish cartoons of Muhammad
muslims had to take an action to stop that ignorance

So if someone is born into Islam it is okay for them to later reject it? After all, a baby is hardly free from any "external effects or compulsion."
.

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look if some one born in islam and lives with muslims and tought islam morals
it is very rare that he converts to other religion
i thinck it is impossible
but there are another way like money which make some poor muslims converts to another religion
but if somebody wants to convert from islam

he is given a while (3 days)to review his situation and come back to the right way
if he refused

Considering that you didn't answer my question about where all the challengers to Islam were, I don't know how you can say this.

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. To reiterate:
if you are fair go to
DREAM tv TO
ELHORRA
ALNAS
AND OTHERS of sattelite chanels
and watch the nearly daily arguments between different religions
and they are broadcasted from arab and muslim countries
and no one stopped it
because they have red lines in arguments dont insult my god and dont insult my prophet.[/QUOTE]

if muslims could set and example of how their god is the only true god and has the best morals, I might conisder being an agnostic muslim. But they dont the things ive seen from religion only hurt and seperate people. muslims are especially the most dangerous, unlike christians who believe what their holy book says but dont completely follow it, muslims will go out and kill for their god. Ive seen so much sick shit, beheadings, stonings , hangings, suicide bombings. All for what? cause allah wants them to do this, he says so in the quran.

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mr zohmygob
the intelligent if you have a war in your country and your father and brothers and all family
is killed by idiots looking for money
and forget people

u will wait to see them killing you also
or try to defend your self and attack that idiots
by any way

i think you live in safe countries and dont feel what happens

only blaming muslims for defending themselves

and forget who come to their countries
of course muslims have to put their hands beside and wait to be killed

Well, since you've admitted its okay to slit the throats of those who apostasize from your faith, I guess any further discussion here is moot.

But thank you for showing this board that your faith is a warped, sick and degenerate thing. I'm putting you back on ignore, and though I don't know what impulse made me take you off ignore I doubt it'll happen again. And please feel free to do the same to me.

look if some one born in islam and lives with muslims and tought islam morals
it is very rare that he converts to other religion
i thinck it is impossible
but there are another way like money which make some poor muslims converts to another religion
but if somebody wants to convert from islam

he is given a while (3 days)to review his situation and come back to the right way
if he refused

Well, since you've admitted its okay to slit the throats of those who apostasize from your faith, I guess any further discussion here is moot.

But thank you for showing this board that your faith is a warped, sick and degenerate thing. I'm putting you back on ignore, and though I don't know what impulse made me take you off ignore I doubt it'll happen again. And please feel free to do the same to me.

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my faith is not warped or that shit you say

one day you will know what i am talking
but the problem that you forget your death
and what will happens after